ALLETE reports 16 percent growth in 2010 earnings per share

ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE) today reported 2010 earnings of $2.19 per share, a 16 percent increase over the $1.89 per share recorded in 2009. ALLETE's net income in 2010 was $75.3 million on total operating revenue of $907 million, compared to $61 million of net income and revenue of $759.1 million in 2009. Excluding a nonrecurring 12 cent charge as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, ALLETE's pro forma earnings were $2.31 per share in 2010. 2009 results included a 15 cent per share nonrecurring charge.

"Improved power sales to our taconite customers was a reflection of a healthier economy and positively impacted our earnings for the year," said ALLETE President and CEO Al Hodnik. "Megawatt-hour sales to these customers increased by 104 percent from 2009 to 2010."

Income from Regulated Operations rose to $79.8 million during 2010 from $65.9 million in the previous year. The results reflected the stronger megawatt-hour sales combined with interim rate increases for Minnesota Power retail customers, and increased transmission-related margins. These increases were significantly offset by higher operating and maintenance, depreciation, interest and income tax expenses.

The Investments and Other segment recorded a net loss of $4.5 million during the year compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in 2009.

An increase in the average number of common shares outstanding, with issuance proceeds used to fund the company's capital expenditure program, had a dilutive impact of 14 cents per share in 2010.

Hodnik said the company expects to earn between $2.35 and $2.55 in 2011. The company recently increased its quarterly dividend to 44.5 cents per share.

"We anticipate building upon our strengths in 2011 and beyond, to the benefit of our customers and shareholders, as the overall economy improves and we continue to make capital investments in renewable and transmission assets," Hodnik said.

The company will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time today to discuss details of its performance for the year. Interested parties may listen live by calling (877) 303-5852, or by accessing the webcast at www.allete.com. A replay of the call will be available through February 20, 2011 by dialing (800) 642-1687, pass code 38206714.

ALLETE's corporate headquarters are in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power in northeast Minnesota and Superior, Water, Light & Power Co. in northwest Wisconsin, ALLETE owns BNI Coal in Center, N. D. and has an eight percent equity interest in American Transmission Co. More information about the company is available on ALLETE's Web site at www.allete.com.

The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ALLETE's press releases and other communications may include certain non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the company's financial statements.

Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company include presentations of earnings (loss) per share. ALLETE's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors by removing the effect of variances in GAAP reported results of operations that are not indicative of changes in the fundamental earnings power of the Company's operations. Management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is appropriate and enables investors and analysts to more accurately compare the company's ongoing financial performance over the periods presented.

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About ALLETE

ALLETE is a publicly held company that operates in a complex, dynamic, competitive and regulated environment. ALLETE's board of directors, accountable to its shareholders, is responsible for the direction and control of the company.

All employees and managers at ALLETE are expected to comply with the letter and spirit of the company's ethics policy, as well as with the policies and procedures of individual business units and the laws and regulations that govern our business.